French archbishop appointed head of pontifical commission on minors' protection

Archbishop Thibault Verny has been appointed as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. He succeeds Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, following his appointment by Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop Verny will continue to serve in his diocesan responsibilities while taking on this new role.

Previously, Archbishop Verny led the Council for the Prevention and Fight against Paedophilia within France's episcopal conference. His work included listening to victims and working with civil authorities to establish protocols for addressing abuse cases. This experience will now be applied to his work with the universal church.

In an interview with Vatican Media, Archbishop Verny expressed humility, gratitude, and determination regarding his new position. He aims to build on Cardinal O'Malley's efforts to create a culture of protection for vulnerable individuals.

He highlighted that his priorities include continuing existing initiatives and developing guidelines for supporting victims through projects like "Memorare." Networking between countries is also seen as crucial to sharing effective practices.

Archbishop Verny emphasized that the commission's role is not to replace local structures but to raise awareness about victim support across different regions. Including victims' experiences within the commission is vital for spreading a protective mindset throughout society.

Addressing public expectations, he noted that trust in the church must be earned through ongoing truth-telling and victim support efforts. The annual report from the Pontifical Commission plays a part in embedding these practices both in Rome and globally.

Archbishop Verny remains cautious about declaring reconciliation achieved, stressing that trust must be built continuously through dedication to truth and protection of minors.

This story is reprinted with permission by Vatican Media.